Internet Integrity Task Force

Ethical Funding and Transparency Policy

(This document was based on and modeled on the RESEARCH ASSOCIATION DATA PRIVACY BRASIL (“RA”) Ethical Funding and Transparency Policy)

IITF believes that funding is a vital part of the research work it performs and that, therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement an ethical and transparent funding policy, which corresponds to the principles that guide the institution. In order to advance its objectives in an ethical manner, we understand that compliance with this Ethical Funding and Transparency Policy (“Policy”) is fundamental.

  1. Introduction

 1.1. Definitions

‘’Funder’’ means any entity providing funds, in any amount, to IITF

‘’Funding’’ means support, commonly in the form of financial resources, but which can also take the form of services provided by the funder for Internet Integrity Task Force. Funding is always a voluntary and unilateral support by the funder, not implying any service provided, in exchange, by Internet Integrity Task Force.

‘’Policy’’ means this Ethical Funding Policy, approves by the IIGF Digital Citizenship Assembly

‘’ Reviewer (s) ’’ means the group responsible for conducting a thorough review of funding proposals directed to IITF that exceed the amount of USD 1000

1.2. Principles

 In order to guarantee the independence and integrity of the organization, any funding that may be                              

obtained by IITF must conform to the following principles:

  • funding cannot, in any way, harm the relationship of IITF members and its institutional partners or students;
  • funding cannot, under any circumstances, compromise organizational independence and autonomy, including by influencing research priorities, decisions and results;
  • funding cannot compromise the reputation of IITF and its members;
  • funding must necessarily comply with all applicable laws in the national territory.
  1. General Provisions and Funding Review

IITF has full discretion as to whether or not to receive financial contributions from different sources, and whether or not to disclose a financing rejection.

In the case of funding that exceeds the USD 1000 mark, the proposal will be submitted to review by a Group of Independent Reviewers, who will determine whether the funding should be accepted or not. The analysis will take into account the ethical parameters established in this Policy, as well asother principles that guide the activities of IITF, and, finally, any reasons it considers appropriate, considering the nature and scope of the financing in question.

Funding that does not reach USD 1000 will not be subject to review by the Reviewers, but all funding must comply with the provisions of this Policy.

  1. Funding sources

 3.1. Public funding 

 IITF will accept funding from governments or state entities whenthe following conditions are met:

The independence and autonomy of IITF, including its priorities, policy making processes/decissions, and research results, must be fully preserved.

IITF must make sure that the involvement with the funder will not bring any risks, of a political or any other nature.

IITF shall ensure that the funder’s policies and practices are aligned with its purposes and principles, as well as the principles of this Policy.

3.2. Funding by companies 

Internet Integrity Task Force will accept funding from the private sector when the following conditions are met:

The contracting between the funder and Internet Integrity Task Force should make it clear whether it is philanthropic or commercial / sponsorship funding.

The independence and autonomy of Internet Integrity Task Force, including its priorities and research results, must be fully preserved.

Internet Integrity Task Force must ensure that the funder’s reputation will not tarnish its own reputation by association. Internet Integrity Task Force will not accept funding from companies with a history of illegal or unethical practices.

When the cash value of Internet Integrity Task Force exceeds USD 100.000, the slice referring to funding by companies cannot exceed 40% of the total value of the funding. 

3.3. Funding by NGOs and Nonprofits

Internet Integrity Task Force will accept funding from non-governmental and non-profit foundations, when the following conditions are met:

The independence and autonomy of Internet Integrity Task Force, including its priorities, policy making, research results, must be fully preserved.

Internet Integrity Task Force must ensure that the funds are of legal and transparent origin.

Internet Integrity Task Force shall ensure that the funder’s reputation and background                        

are consistent with its purposes and principles, as well as the principles of this Policy.

  1. Transparency

Funders of Internet Integrity Task Force will disclose their support, as well as specific projects, upon authorization.

Internet Integrity Task Force will disclose, by any means, including its website, the names of its funders, the sector to which they belong, and the amounts of the fundings.

Internet Integrity Task Force will not disclose confidential data about the funder or the funding, including values, unless expressly authorized to do so.

Internet Integrity Task Force will disclose, by any means, including its website, report on its funds, including origin, and annual expenses. This report must comply with parameters established by laws and regulations and must present a clear and concise picture of the association’s situation for its funders, partners and other stakeholders.

  1. Conflict of interest

Members of project teams funded by philanthropies and private companies will not be able to individually receive funding from these actors during the execution of the projects.

Conflicts of interest arising from parallel professional experiences, which go beyond engagement with Internet Integrity Task Force, must be formally reported to the Independent Reviewers Group, which must express itself, in writing, about the conflict of interest. The analysis must be carried out, necessarily, by two external persons

  1. Presentation of the policy to funders

This Policy should be presented, preferably, at the beginning of negotiation processes with funders, ensuring that they are aware of the choices made by Internet Integrity Task Force on ethical and transparency criteria for receiving funds.

  1. Policy Update and Dissemination

The Policy should be reviewed and updated annually or at a shorter period when circumstances make more urgent changes to the provisions necessary. Whenever the Policy is changed, the new version must be sent to all Employees via email with precise indications, pointing out the differences in relation to the previous version.

The Policy must be sent to the e-mail of every Employee at the moment that he / she joins the work team, together with a brief summary of the Policy in the body of the e-mail so that such Employee can learn about the culture and principles of the IITF.

In addition, the Policy must be disseminated internally on a regular and periodic basis. When this communication takes place in other formats such as posters, pamphlets or memos, it is enough to indicate where the Employee can find the Policy within the IITF portal.

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